Age Action’s Eamon Timmins has said “We are now in the third week of the big freeze which has left many older people house bound and unable to get essential food, fuel and medical supplies. Unless they are receiving regular visits from people who can help them, they will now be in serious difficulty.”

The charity for older people is urging the public to visit or telephone older people in their community to ensure they are okay. “Due to school closures, many people may be taking the day off work. We are urging them to take this opportunity to look in on older people in their locality. We are appealing to people to prioritise those who live alone and those who may be socially excluded and may not have had any visitors. Make that visit today. Don’t put it off and don’t depend on other people to do it – they may be expecting you to do it,” Mr Timmins said.

In addition to food supplies, people who use solid fuel heating may be running short of fuel, and people on regular medication may need prescriptions to be filled.

“If you are an older person who is running into difficulties, we urge you to contact your local HSE health centre immediately,” Mr Timmins said. “If you do not know the number for your local centre contact the HSE’s information line at 1850 24 1850 and they will provide it.”

Age Action’s information lines have received calls from older people who have been unable to leave their homes for the last four weeks as a result of frozen footpaths and untreated roads.

The charity is urging older people to keep in regular telephone contact with family, friends and other older people to let everyone know they are well. They are also reminding them to keep their own homes warm. They should be aiming to keep the temperature in the rooms they are living in at 18 to 20 degrees Celsius. If they cannot afford to heat the whole home to this level, they should concentrate on heating the rooms they are living in.

Age Action’s information lines are open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm. The number is 01-4756989.